Our second world- book one: Past beginnings

Chapter 5: Haren

After getting Graces' things from her house, she and Haren made their way through the park and over to Harens' house.

When they got there, Haren could see lights on in the kitchen through the curtain covering the back door. The two of them quietly jumped over the backyard fence and made their way around to the front door. They crept into the front hall and slipped off their shoes, leaving them by the door.

Haren set Graces' bag down on one of the benches and made his way over to the door leading to the rest of the house," wait here a sec, I'll go talk to her first," he said.

Grace nodded and he quietly pushed open the door. Making his way out to the kitchen, he found Tsukiyama sitting at the island with a newspaper in one hand and a half-empty cup of coffee in the other. She looked up when he walked over.

"You're late," she frowned, setting down her paper.

"Yeah, sorry. Something came up," he replied, hoping she would buy it. Well, it wasn't entirely a lie, either. Tsukiyama raised an eyebrow and waved for him to continue." Grace needed some help with something and my phone died so I couldn't text you to let you know. I charged it, but fell asleep before I could text you. Speaking of: is it alright if Grace stays in the guest room for a while?"

Tsukiyama let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose," I suppose this is about her father again, isn't it," Haren nodded." And I suppose you've also already told her it was fine, am I right?"

"Sorry," he said, scratching the back of his head." At the time, it seemed like the best thing to do."

"Well, I'd've said yes either way since I'm already aware of her...situation, but I just wish you'd remember to talk ta me about stuff like this," Tsukiyama sighed.

"Sorry," he chuckled." I'll go help her with her things now."

He turned to go, but Tsukiyama grabbed his hand," try and be home a little earlier next time, ok?"

"Yes, ma'am."

When he got back to the hall, he found Grace admiring the wooden swords hanging up on the shelves. She had pulled a stuffed white bear from her bag and was clutching it to her chest. She looked...tired.

"Hey."

Grace jumped and looked around, her eyes eventually finding him," did you find your aunt?" She asked, walking over to him." What'd she say?"

"We're all good," he grinned, giving her a dorky thumbs up." Come on, I'll help you with your things," he added, grabbing both her navy blue duffle bag and her backpack.

"Wait, I can carry it," she argued, reaching for the handle of the backpack.

"No, it's fine," he insisted, lifting both easily with his right arm." Wow, this is really light. Did you even put anything in here?"

"I didn't actually pack very many clothes," Grace said quietly, looking down at her feet.

"What? Why?" He demanded." I mean, you could've taken something else out instead, right?"

"It-it's fine...I can always buy more," Grace answered." Plus, I couldn't leave anything else, it's all important stuff, and I can just wear some of your stuff like I usually do, right?"

Haren let out a long sigh," fine...but we're getting you new clothes when Tsu goes grocery shopping this weekend, alright?" He put a hand on her head." Come on, let's go put this stuff away. I don't know about you, but I'm gettin' hungry fer breakfast."

Grace nodded and the two of them made their way through the living room and down the hall to the guest room.

The room in question had a large window on the far wall with a nice view of the spacious fenced in backyard and garden. A small wooden dresser sat in the corner with a small mirror sitting on top. In the other corner, to the right of the door, was a desk and a single bed had been pushed up against the wall in the corner to the left of the door on the same wall. It had a set of pillows and neatly folded blankets sitting on top of it, all freshly washed by the looks of it.

Grace walked over to the window and lingered there for a moment to look at something outside before she pulled the dark gray curtains shut with a snap. She set her bear down at the foot of the bed and sat down, a little surprised by the springiness of it. Sure, she'd stayed over lots of times before, but since they'd only recently finished putting together the guest room, it had always been on a fold-out cot or the futon in the living room upstairs.

She seemed a little distracted by something, or lost in thought, so Haren took the liberty of unpacking her bag for her. He put the books on the short shelf next to the desk and stored the number of sketchbooks and drawing supplies in the drawers of the desk. He left the plastic bag of bathroom supplies at the end of the bed and plugged her laptop in to the powerstrip under the desk before setting the bag, now with only the few pairs of clothes and the geodes left, by the closet. Grace would have to decide where she wanted them later. After taking a moment to admire the neatly organized room, Haren sat down next to Grace on the bed.

"Thank you for doing this," she said quietly after a few minutes of silence." I hate to think about what would happen if--" her sentence trailed off and Haren looked over to see she was struggling to hold back tears.

Gently, he reached an arm around her and pulled her into a hug," shh, don't think about that stuff anymore, ok? You're with us now, and I'll personally fight anyone who's got a problem with it."

Grace let out a small giggle and put her head on his shoulder," if you get arrested, I'm not paying bail," she joked, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

"You're too cruel," Haren teased. Grace shook her head, but smiled, if only faintly." Feel better now?"

"Yes," she nodded, sitting up.

"Good, we're probably having breakfast soon so I'm gonna see if Tsu wants some help. Bathrooms yours if you want a shower or anything, and the girls should be up soon," Haren said, standing." Take your time, ok?" He gave Grace a friendly tap on the shoulder before walking out to the hall, closing the door behind him.

When he walked past Himira and Nonakas' room on his way to the kitchen, he heard the rustle of bedsheets and blankets from inside that told him the two young girls were waking up. He walked into the kitchen to find that Tsukiyama had already started cooking breakfast. She had bacon and eggs on the stove, some kind of carrot cake, banana bread, or both baking in the oven, and was also making pancakes on the island with a hotplate. A pile of toast sat on a plate in the microwave.

"Need some help?" He asked.

"Yes please."

She handed him the spatula she had been using to flip pancakes and moved over to the stove.

When everything was done cooking, he helped Tsukiyama clean up a bit before setting the table for everyone. The girls, smelling the food from their room, were the first ones to the table. Both sat down eagerly, chattering excitedly with each other.

"So, Haren," Tsukiyama paused to take a sip of her coffee." I'm gonna call your school and let them know that you and Grace are staying home today. I'll also let them know about the current...situation, so Grace won't have to worry about that. I'll be taking the girls and your brother to school today since his car is still getting fixed, but when I get back from dropping them off, I want to hear all about the real reason why you were late getting home."

"Ah, I figured you wouldn't buy that dumb crap I made up. Sorry I lied to you, but you probably won't believe the truth even if we told you," he said, scratching the back of his neck." I actually wanted to go back to school today, but I'll stay home if you agree to let me go back tomorrow instead."

"Sure, that's fine. We'll be leaving after breakfast. Remember: full story when I get back."

"Ok, I got it," he groaned, shoving a slice of buttered toast in his mouth as he plopped down in his usual seat at the table.

Tsukiyama smiled and disappeared upstairs to fetch Yamera.